James Garfield

Summary

Section One: The Log Cabin

Terms

Disciples -
· A religious group that Garfield joined while attending
seminary school. Garfield took an active role in the church, attending
the church's school at Hiram, Ohio and eventually becoming a preacher.
It was a combination of several different Protestant faiths.

hard money -
· The term used to describe the system where paper currency
could be converted into gold or silver at a bank, a system that
would, in theory, lower inflation and even out currency fluctuations.

Western Reserve Eclectic
Institute -
· The institute of higher learning founded by the Disciples
in Hiram, Ohio. Garfield taught there for several years and even served
as the school's principal. Later, the school changed its name to
Hiram College.

People

Lucretia
Randolph Garfield -
Garfield's wife,
whom he met while in school and married in November, 1858. She
bore him seven children, two of whom died in infancy.

Salmon P. Chase -
An Ohio native and close friend of Garfield's. Chase
served as Lincoln's treasury secretary before being appointed to
the Supreme Court.

Rutherford B. Hayes -
Republican president from 1877 through 1881. Elected
in controversial election where Hayes won the electoral college
by a single vote while Democratic candidate Samuel Tilden won the
popular vote. Hayes worked hard to combat corruption in government
and pull the country out of a recession. He saw Garfield's nomination
and election as vindication of his policies.

Samuel Tilden -
The
Democratic nominee for president in 1876, Tilden lost a controversial
election wherein he won the popular vote but lost the electoral
college by a single vote amid widespread allegations of fraud.
Later, New York newspapers published telegrams showing that Tilden
had tried to buy the election.

James G. Blaine -
Garfield's closest friend and ally. The two Ohio natives
knew each other from early on in their respective careers, and
Garfield continually supported Blaine's attempts at higher office.
Garfield had hoped that Blaine would win the presidential nomination
in 1880.